RALEIGH, N.C.—A new collaboration is underway between Innovate Biopharmaceuticals Inc. and Dr. O. Colin Stine of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The focus will be to explore larazotide’s ability to correct dysfunctional intestinal barriers and microbiomes in a number of diseases. Larazotide (INN-202) is being advanced into Phase 3 clinical trials in celiac disease.

“Larazotide is the only known molecule in late-stage clinical trials that decreases intestinal permeability,” said Stine. “Permeability of the intestinal barrier and its modulation by the microbiota are fundamental processes underlying several diseases such as environmental enteric dysfunction, known as EED, and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases including celiac disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Recently, the microbiota and its impact on converting PD1/PDL1 therapy unresponsive tumors sensitive to immunotherapy is opening another key gateway to study the role of the dysfunctional intestinal barrier and its correction by larazotide.”